Murder suspect arraigned in St. Joseph County

The Portage man charged with shooting to death two people last week – including a St. Joseph County resident – was arraigned Monday.
St. Joseph County court officials said 32-year-old Zachary Patten was arraigned in St. Joseph County District Court.
Judge Rob Pattison charged Patten with homicide, open murder, firearms and home invasion. The felony charges stem from Thursday’s shooting of 29-year-old Shane Richardson at Richardson’s Florence Township residence.
Pattison denied bond; Patten is in custody at the county jail in Centreville.
Patten has not yet been charged in Kalamazoo County, where he allegedly shot and killed Graciela Portillo-Esparaza, 31, about an hour before confronting and shooting Richardson.
Patten is scheduled to appear for a pre-exam conference Aug. 8.